Young professionals are invited to rethink the future of forests at EFI YLP 2026

Early-career professionals from across Europe will gather in Joensuu, Finland, to explore innovation and futures thinking for forests during the next edition of EFI’s Young Leadership Programme (YLP), from 24 to 28 August 2026.

The "Future Forests, Future Leaders" five-day programme brings together a select group of like-minded participants, drawing on the example of Northern Europe, a region shaped by forests, knowledge and innovation, yet facing significant changes.

What to expect

Each day combines expert insights, engagement with local stakeholders and interactive sessions, offering participants diverse perspectives on innovation and futures thinking.

Participants have opportunities to meet with local companies and entrepreneurs, observe a circular bioeconomy in the making, and test their own assumptions about future needs and solutions.

Programme

Monday 24 August | Setting the scene: a systems view on innovation and futures

• Introductions and week's modus operandi, Päivi Pelli, EFI
• Setting the scene, system view, futures thinking and forest sector, Eeva Hellström, SITRA
• Forest industries in times of change, session moderation by Päivi Pelli, EFI
• Framework for innovation and futures thinking, futures tools, Teppo Hujala, University of Eastern Finland

Tuesday 25 August | Inside and beyond regional innovation ecosystems

• Support for innovation: Local innovation ecosystem, Forest Joensuu & Innovation Joensuu, session moderation by Lauri Sikanen (Luke), Jarno Hämäläinen (Business Joensuu) and Juha Purmonen (Photonics Centre)
• Opportunities in trans-regional innovation, Anne Ackermann, EFI
• From innovative idea to solution adoption, Anne Ackerman, EFI

Wednesday 26 August | Excursion: meet innovators and explore the opportunities held by the forest

• Excursion on innovation journeys (set up by Business Joensuu and EFI)

Thursday 27 August | Entrepreneurship, foresight and anticipatory innovation

• Entrepreneurship, Hanna Ojuva (JoES), Janne Eerola (HUB Joensuu) and Mikko Järvilehto (Business Joensuu)
• Forest organisations navigating the change, Alisa Puustinen, Finnish Forest Centre
• Anticipatory innovation, Alisa Puustinen (Finnish Forest Centre) & Teppo Hujala (University of Eastern Finland)

Friday 28 August | Applying Power Skills for Effective Futures and Innovation Leadership

• Group work in interaction with locals: Developing innovative solutions for relevant futures in the local context: applying lessons learnt, honing skills and creating real value

Apply now

Applicants are invited to complete the application form by submitting a CV, a short motivation video and a letter of recommendation. The application deadline is 30 April.

Approximately 20 participants will be selected. A participation fee of €250 applies, and selected participants are responsible for arranging and covering their own travel and accommodation.

A limited number of fee waivers will be available. Priority will be given to:

• students enrolled in a UEF Summer Course 2026;
• applicants who indicate their interest in a fee waiver in the application form.

Find the full application requirements here.

For more information, contact us at ylp@efi.int

See previous editions here.

About the YLP 2026

The YLP 2026 would not be possible without the support of the Foundation for European Forest Research (FEFR). Meet our partners involved in shaping the programme: Luke, University of Eastern Finland, JoES, Business Joensuu, Forest Joensuu and City of Joensuu.

^{Featured image: Studio Romantic / Adobe Stock}